Fall - Reena

Kolreena Kolreena Reena Foundation Kolreena KolreenaAlex Eisen SocietyBy making a Planned Gift, you are becoming a member of the Alex Eisen Society. This is a great way to ensure that Reena willcontinue to provide vital services for generations to come. Let it be your legacy.Making dreams come true, one gift at a time by Paula SchonbergerOver the years I have workedwith children who havespecial needs and raisedmoney for charitable organizations,most recently Terra Enterprise,philanthropic project. TheEnterprise was created to facilitateand encourage community giftgiving with Foundations that areinnovative and proactive, for example Reena’s SpecialOlympics and Respite and Enrichment Programs.It has been the small amounts from the many that havemade such a big difference in the lives of others,including Reena’s children who are very dear to myheart. So, when the opportunity to be part of andsupport a family endeavour, the partnership wasreceived with enthusiasm and a willingness to helpachieve the organizations goals with a planned gift to theAlex Eisen Society.The meaningful contribution pays tribute to Alex Eisenand Rabbi Kelman in their pursuit of excellence andempathy towards individuals with developmentaldisabilities and their families. They are ordinary peopleshowing extraordinary generosity that lays a foundationon how future generations will perceive individuals withdevelopmental disabilities. I remember working atBloorview Kids Rehab, previously known as theCrippled Children’s Centre, when it felt more like aninstitution. Ideas about children with special needshave changed, and Reena provides an enrichment ofpossibilities for children and their families. At Reena Ihave seen the breaking down of barriers, the support ofintegration and inclusion, the assistance towards highquality programs and serves and a place where familiescan call home.“You have to walk in someone else’s shoes forawhile to understand”Coming from a charitable family who always putfamily first, appreciated differences as unique andvaluable. The art of giving is a tradition and thediversity of gifts is chosen thoughtfully, liberally andjoyfully. To give of one’s self and one’s resources tobenefit others is a bequest. The importance of ourheritage is the impact it will have on the value of life foreveryone, especially in the Reena Community in havinga safe and loving place that will be sustainable for thefuture.Our cooperation and collaboration of resources andcare has always been a shared vision.Stephen O’Leary Joins The Alex Eisen Society by Gary SimStephen O’Learyrecently informedReena Foundationthat he and his latewife had made aprovision in theirwills for a gift toReena. We are proudto have Stephen joinus as the latest member of The Alex Eisen Society.Stephen noted “Before Frankie passed away from cancerwe had agreed that if we were lucky enough to be able toleave any money to any charitable organization, it wouldcertainly go to the group that was so lovingly lookingafter our son. We have always been impressed with thetremendous amount of time and care taken by the Reenastaff in placing individuals in just the right home settingand with the right caregiver. We know that youngStephen is in good hands”.“We knew that as with many other families with achild with a developmental disability, the day wouldcome that we could no longer look after Stephenourselves. When Frankie got sick in 2002, that day camesooner than we had hoped. We looked around for themost appropriate place for Stephen and we were mostimpressed with Reena. Stephen is now 42 and leading afull life at Reena – which thrills us as the doctors saidthat Stephen would not live past his teens. Stephen goesto the workshop during the day and then on Wednesdaynights he bowls and on the weekends he comes home tostay with me. I am very proud to say I support Reena inthe best way I can – Reena is Stephen’s future!”Stephen Sr. has not only included Reena in his estateplans, he is an ongoing monthly donor to theEndowment Fund he opened when his beloved wifepassed away in 2007 – Thank you Stephen.Kolreena • September 2009 • 21